So it seems that Facebook is shunning London’s Silicon Roundabout area, which has emerged as one of the biggest technology company clusters in Europe, in favor of a prestigious postcode in London’s West End. The move is expected to happen in January 2012.

Joanna Shields, the company’s vice-president and managing direct of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, told the Telegraph:

“As Facebook’s growth continues, we are delighted to be expanding our operations in the UK with a move to a larger office in central London next year. With over 30 million people using Facebook every month in the UK, and over 750 million globally, we’re excited about the next phase in our development.”

Facebook opened its first London office back in 2007, and it currently employs seventy people, predominantly focusing on advertising sales.

Twitter is also thought to be opening its first European office in London some time this year, with Tony Wang relocating to the UK capital to set-up shop. It’s not clear as of yet where Twitter will base itself in the city.